Industry 'superstar' Sergio Marchionne to open 2014 Auto Show

Italian-born and Toronto raised, Sergio Marchionne has been named as the keynote speaker who will deliver the opening address at the 2014 Canadian International AutoShow.

Marchionne, the chairman and chief executive officer of Chrysler Group LLC and CEO of Fiat S.p.A, is a popular and sought after speaker in the business world.

He was credited with being the brains behind the alliance of Chrysler and Fiat in 2011.

“If there is a superstar in the global auto industry, Sergio Marchionne is it,” said Frank Romeo, president of the CIAS.

“We are delighted to welcome him back to his hometown to officially open the 2014 Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto. It is truly an honour and we thank him and Chrysler Canada for hosting the opening ceremonies,” Romeo added.

Each year a different auto manufacturer is chosen as the official host of the Toronto auto show, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2013.

Attracting more than 300,000 visitors and scores of media, the CIAS is the largest automotive event in Canada and among the premier auto shows in North America.

Born in Italy, Marchionne grew up and attended schools in Toronto, where he studied to become a lawyer and chartered accountant along the road to being a titan in the business world.